Key players worked out off to the side. There were soccer balls kicked and quarterbacks heaving balls at trash cans – just another form of competition. Most of the offensive linemen worked out on the opposite field lifting weights or twisting with medicine balls. Meanwhile, kicker Dustin Hopkins boomed one long field goal after another, including a 63-yarder through the uprights that was supposed to be a kick off return.

It was a way for the coaching staff to give players an “off” day while still getting some productive work done. And while Hopkins and punter Tress Way said they’d never heard of an entire practice devoted to special teams, Gruden rightly pointed out with a laugh that neither is exactly a longtime NFL veteran.

“Actually, we did it in Tampa a couple times when I was down there with my brother [Jon] and it’s really a good time to really hone in on special teams, number one, and give the big guys a little rest,” Gruden said. “We had two pretty good days and it was pretty hot out there, and I felt like we were getting a little leg weary, so I thought it was a good recovery day.”

There was some injury news on Wednesday. Wide receiver Josh Doctson continues to wear a walking boot to help keep weight off his sore left Achilles tendon and there remains no specific timeline for his return. Meanwhile, nose tackle Jerrell Powe will miss 7-to-10 days after undergoing a procedure to correct a heart arrhythmia. Trent Murphy returned to on-field work on Wednesday after a case of Strep throat.

Washington also signed offensive tackle Isaiah Williams, giving it 16 offensive linemen in camp. Williams played college football at Akron and was an undrafted college free agent in 2016.